Aretha Franklin

Aretha Franklin was born in 1942 in Tennessee. She became one of the greatest singers of all time. Aretha had a powerful voice that could fill a whole room. She sang soul, gospel, and rhythm and blues music. Everyone called her the Queen of Soul.

Her Music

Aretha sang famous songs like Respect, Think, and Natural Woman. Her song Respect became a song for fairness and women's rights. She could also play the piano very well. She won 18 Grammy Awards during her life. Her music made people happy and made them think.

Her Life

Aretha grew up singing in her father's church in Detroit. She started making records when she was only 14 years old. She sang at important events, including the day President Barack Obama became president. She kept singing and making music her whole life. She died in 2018.

Fun Facts

• Aretha was the first woman ever put into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame.
• She sang at Martin Luther King Jr.'s funeral in 1968.
• She received a special medal from the President of the United States.

Did You Know?

Aretha Franklin's voice was considered so special that the state of Michigan called it a natural resource.